Running a creator business in the EU is not just about posting content — it comes with real legal obligations. This guide covers the non-negotiables for German, Austrian and Swiss creators operating on OnlyFans, Fansly, Fanvue, MYM or any other platform.
Note: This is editorial guidance, not legal advice. Consult a lawyer or Steuerberater for your specific situation.
The Impressum: what it is and who needs it
An Impressum is a legally required disclosure on any commercial or regularly updated German-language website. The relevant law is §5 Telemediengesetz (TMG) in Germany; Austria has §5 E-Commerce-Gesetz (ECG); Switzerland has the UWG.
You need an Impressum if:
- You have a personal website or link-in-bio page promoting your creator accounts
- You operate a Fanlink, Linktree, or similar page as your public landing page
- You have a blog, newsletter or social profile with commercial intent
Your Impressum must include:
- Full legal name (no pseudonyms)
- Full postal address (not a PO box in Germany)
- Email address with a reasonable response time
- For adult content: a named Jugendschutzbeauftragter under §7 JMStV or confirmation of platform compliance
GDPR privacy policy
Any website that processes personal data of EU visitors needs a privacy policy under GDPR (EU 2016/679). For most creators this means:
- What data you collect (IP addresses, contact form submissions, analytics)
- Which processors handle that data (Google Analytics, Mailchimp, Stripe, etc.)
- User rights: access, deletion, portability
- Data retention periods
Tools like Datenschutz-Generator.de (Germany) or e-recht24 produce compliant starting drafts. Review annually and update when you add new tools.
Age verification
Platforms like OnlyFans, Fansly and Fanvue handle age verification for content hosted on their platforms. Your promotional website is a different matter. If your promotional site shows adult-coded imagery or links directly to adult content, you may need:
- A KJM-approved age gate mechanism (Germany)
- Or a clear 18+ disclaimer with a click-through confirmation
As of 2026, German authorities (KJM) have stepped up enforcement against promotional pages that bypass the spirit of platform age verification.
Business registration
Creator income is self-employment income in all DACH countries. Registration requirements:
| Country | Registration | Threshold for VAT registration |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Finanzamt (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung) | €22,000/year (Kleinunternehmer) |
| Austria | Finanzamt, WKO Gewerbeanmeldung | €35,000/year net |
| Switzerland | Handelsregister for sole traders above CHF 100k | CHF 100,000/year |
Below the Kleinunternehmer threshold in Germany, you can invoice without charging VAT and use a simplified tax return. Above it, you register for VAT and must include it on all invoices.
Practical checklist
- Impressum on every public page (name, address, email)
- GDPR privacy policy with current processor list
- Age verification on promotional pages showing adult content
- Registered with the Finanzamt as self-employed
- Separate business bank account (not legally required but strongly recommended)
- Annual tax return includes all platform payouts
Step by step
- 1 · Determine if you need an Impressum: In Germany: any commercial or regularly updated website needs one under §5 TMG. Your OnlyFans, Fansly or personal promo site counts. Austria (§5 ECG) and Switzerland have equivalent rules.
- 2 · Draft your Impressum: Required: full legal name, postal address, email, and for adult content a responsible person named under §5 JMStV. A PO box is not sufficient in Germany.
- 3 · Create a GDPR privacy policy: List every service that processes your visitors' data: analytics tools, email providers, embedded social media. Use a generator, then review with a lawyer if you earn more than €10k/year.
- 4 · Verify age gate requirements: Adult content on your own site requires an age verification mechanism meeting KJM standards in Germany. Platforms handle this for hosted content; your promotional site may need it too.
- 5 · Register as self-employed if required: Recurring income from creator platforms is commercial income in DE/AT/CH. Registration with the Finanzamt (DE), Finanzamt (AT) or Handelsregister (CH) is typically required above the Kleinunternehmer threshold.